After delaying their anticipated sophomore LP -- which was expected in late 2017 -- American pop trio
Echosmith instead released the EP
Inside a Dream. Issued as an appetizer to tide over their fans, the seven-song release is an interesting, though not entirely surprising, departure from the early, more guitar-based style found on their debut,
Talking Dreams. Here, the
Sierota siblings -- Sydney, Noah, and Graham -- push synth pop to the fore, creating a blend that sounds like
1989-era
Taylor Swift fronting the 2017 incarnations of
PVRIS or
MisterWives. Setting the tone, opener "Lessons" is awash in synths with on-the-nose lyrics alluding to '80s favorites by
Fleetwood Mac and
Eurythmics. "Get into My Car" and "18" crank up the
1989 tribute, sounding so similar to that album's sweeter moments that they could be B-sides. Highlights include the vibrant "Future Me" and the ethereal cool of "Goodbye," which includes the best kiss-off lyric on the album ("When you finally find yourself/Tell him I said goodbye!"). As a preview of potential things to come,
Inside a Dream offers just the right amount to satisfy and to build anticipation for a full-length effort that should mark a new and refreshing direction for the group. ~ Neil Z. Yeung